Liverpool Soccer Club
To Sell Stake to Thailand

By
Shawn W. CrispinStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated May 18, 2004 10:23 am ET

BANGKOK -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said English Premiership League soccer team Liverpool has agreed in principle to sell a 30% share to Thailand, marking an apparent end to the recent bidding war between the Thai premier and United Kingdom real-estate tycoon Steve Morgan for the stake.

Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved plans to establish a new state lottery, the proceeds of which will be used to buy the Liverpool stake. Mr. Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications tycoon, earlier estimated the stake would cost...